Archive for April, 2015

“St. Lawrence County Judge Jerome J. Richards is facing criticism from several county legislators who believe restrictions he places on many citizens who hold pistol permits may violate Second Amendment rights outlined in the U.S. Constitution. During their Monday Finance Committee meeting, lawmakers had a lengthy discussion that focused on complaints they’ve received from people who applied for and received pistol permits from Judge Richards …”

I have heard complaints about him before and I told those people they need to get rid of him at the next election. He ran unopposed last year for another 10 year term.

“… According to Legislator Kevin M. Acres, R-Madrid, most of the concealed pistol permits issued by Judge Richards restrict permit holders to carrying the weapons only during outdoor sporting activities such as hunting and target shooting. Constituents have complained that the restrictions prevent them having their pistol on other occasions when they may need to protect themselves or family members …”

Valid concerns, but …

“… Legislator Rick Perkins, D-Parishville, said restrictions placed by Judge Richards on pistol permits are a disservice to citizens. “I think we need to take his personal bias out of this and give the permits or licenses without restrictions. It’s our right,” Mr. Perkins said. County Attorney Stephen D. Button advised legislators Monday they had the authority to adopt their own local law defining “proper cause” because the state so far has failed to do so, even though bills have been introduced in the state Legislature …”

Um, no. Suffolk County tried this like 20-25 years ago and the court ruled they do not have the authority to do that.

S-2050 – Relates to prohibiting the possession of certain 50 caliber firearms; directs the division of state police to embark on a program whereby persons currently in lawful possession of such weapons may be reimbursed for the fair market value thereof upon turning in such weapons to a designated officer

S-2491 – Enacts the “Children’s Weapon Accident Prevention Act”; creates crimes of failure to store a weapon safely in the first and second degrees, aggravated failure to store a weapon, and criminally negligent storage of a weapon in the first and second degrees; provides affirmative defenses; directs the Commissioner of Education to develop a weapons safety program

S-2900 – Authorizes the possession of a handgun being sold by a dealer in firearms upon the premises of such dealer

Antigun lobby day is set for Tuesday, May 4. Expect a bus load of astroturf in the LOB.

Ceretto to push for SAFE Act repeal – New York State Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-Lewiston, announced support Wednesday in the Assembly’s Codes Committee for legislation that would fully repeal the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013. The move would clear the way for the measure to come to the floor for an Assembly vote. “Law-abiding gun owners have been burdened by the SAFE Act for far too long, and it’s time to bring this controversial issue back to the Assembly floor for a vote, so we can repeal this overbearing law once and for all,” Ceretto said in a press release …

We go through this every year. A handful of Assembly Republicans ask some of their pro-gun bills be put on the committee agenda. There is a party line and the bills are held for consideration with no further action taken.

The legislature is not going to repeal SAFE. Neither chamber is even going to allow a bill to come up for a vote. Politicians who say otherwise are just pandering to their base. Groups who say otherwise are not being honest with their constituency.

“… The Buffalo mayor [Byron Brown] has taken great pains over the years to maintain his spot on the Conservative line, even losing a party primary to new best friend Kevin Helfer in 2005. Brown can only wonder what might have been without that “C” behind his name. His reluctance to embrace Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s SAFE Act gun control law may have very well cost him a shot at becoming lieutenant governor last year …”